storytelling

Well, the knee is not getting much better. In fact, I feel like it is getting increasingly unreliable. However, I am learning more and more which movements irritate it, and am working to avoid them. I really want to keep on with this exercise routine. I'm ticked that my own body is thwarting me in my desires to do something that should be healthy for it. I don't know whether or not to keep pushing until the knee finally gives out, or stop now. (If my mom were reading this blog (which she isn't), she would be greatly distressed that I even had to consider my answer to that question!) Well, tomorrow is yoga, which is the least strenuous for the knee. So I have another day or so to think about it.

I helped facilitate a storytelling workshop today. It was on the fourth floor of a building, and I really noticed the knee when climbing the stairs—especially because the stairs were much steeper than most stairs in the US. I'd estimate that each step was about a foot tall, which meant there was a more intense strain on the knees. The irritated one protested at being used so rigorously.

It was a full day of speaking the national language today as we (Mr. and I and one other foreigner) facilitated this storytelling workshop. I always feel anxious about my skills—especially because this lady called us in to help at the last minute. But, she asked us because she knows we're pretty advanced in the language. Still, I don't like to "wing it" when teaching in a second language. But much of it was facilitating discussion and letting them practice telling stories. So, it wasn't like we were talking 100% of the time. Not even 50%. I guess it went fine. I am always pretty critical of my abilities, and not completely comfortable in a large classroom setting. I am much happier one-on-one or -two.

There was a guy there who was missing all his fingers (except for one thumb!) and had scar tissue over maybe 85% of his face. We didn't ever hear what happened. Our best guess is that maybe he worked with a demining group and one  of the mines blew up while he was holding it. However, the point is, this guy was such an intelligent, lively personality that he was very endearing, and after just a short time I had stopped even noticing his disfigurement. I am very much impressed with him.

What a weird week this week is. It was basically empty of commitments until Saturday. And then in the course of just two days the week filled SO completely full. And the variety of things we are doing: what a strange mix! Some of my projects for this week are: babysitting, a scrub at a spa with a friend, storytelling training, a photo shoot of food for a restaurant brochure, a Hebrew class, coaching, business card and stationery design, a lesson on part of the Jewish Passover, a coffee and prayer date, and creating a Power Point slideshow to increase giving at our church. Is that not just a jumble of mis-matched activities?

If variety is the spice of life, my life this week is as spicy as Indian food!